• Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

    Read More
  • Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    Welcome to the Bideford & District Community Archive

    ...The Gazette Newspaper 1856 onwards.

    Read More
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  • 1 Boys from Bideford school complete Ten Tors

  • 2 Meeting at 10 Downing Street

  • 3 A craftsman's 'potted' history

  • 4 Eleven million pound scheme's official opening

  • 5 Brothers reunion 1947
  • 6 Burnard family reunion

  • 7

    Inter-school Road Safety Quiz Cup Winners
  • 8 Bridging the stream

  • 9 For South Africa from Westward Ho!

  • 10 Eight to strike and a race to win

  • 11 Town's second woman mayor in 392 years

  • 12 Little 'Big Ben'

  • 13 Space dominates Hartland carnival

  • 14 TV contest means big job for Bideford Guides

  • 15 No sale of Springfield House

  • 16 Teenager Peter Jackson Makes Horror Film
  • 17 Bideford 'What's my line?' challenger

  • 18 Centenary of Gazette

  • 19 New look for Torrington Lane

  • 20 Westward Ho! sand yacht to challenge speed record

  • 21 Broomhayes £1,000 Surprise
  • 22 From Bobby to Brian

  • 23 Quads join a Langtree happy family

  • 24 Sixty-two year old Picarooner makes ready for season

  • 25

    Jinxed School Trip
  • 26 An early 'special' to Bideford

  • 27 Torrington children build igloo
  • 28 Waldon Triplets
  • 29 All for the love of a lady!

  • 30 Thorn-apple found in Littleham conservatory

  • 31 Torridge wins on time schedule

  • 32 Gloves fit for a king!

  • 33 Peter poses for TV film

  • 34 Prizewinning babies at Torrington

  • 35 Housing progress at East-the-Water>
  • 36 Celebrations for 103rd birthday

  • 37 Bideford schoolboy's courage recognised

  • 38 Westward Ho! Tennis Club Winners
  • 39 Westward Ho! public conveniences get go ahead
  • 40 The creative urge on Saturday morning

  • 41 Works at craft he learned over 65 years ago

  • 42 River scenes that enchant the visitors

  • 43 Community centre opened at Westward Ho!

  • 44 Bideford's first woman councillor

  • 45 Malibou boys are all-the-year-round surfers

  • 46 Yeo vale road ruin provides a mystery

  • 47

    Andre Veillett and Quentin Reed in Judo Demonstration
  • 48 Unique holiday adventure!

  • 49 They set out for Bideford and became lost

  • 50 Revenge in style

  • 51 Bideford triplets' first birthday party

  • 52 Homage to a well-loved sovereign

  • 53 Olympic riders to compete at Bideford Horse Show

  • 54 Down at the 'Donkey House'

  • 55 Down at the dump something stirs

  • 56 Council agree to demolition of Chanter's Folly

  • 57 Grenville House for Bideford R.D.C.

  • 58 Panel sprint for Bideford broadcast

  • 59 Just over a year old

  • 60 Train returns to Westleigh straight

  • 61 Bideford skifflers, they're no squares

  • 62 Fundraising trip for RNLI

  • 63 Success to Festival of the Arts

  • 64 A lost Bideford 'island'

  • 65

    Gus Honeybun meets local children
  • 66 Spring-cleaning the Ridge

  • 67 Hartland Abbey outdoor staff 60 years ago

  • 68 Pretty pennies at Beaford

  • 69 Not Bideford's answer to the moon rocket!

  • 70

    Wynne Olley's styles impress International Hair Fashion Designer
  • 71 Filming at Hartland

  • 72 Still hunting aged 80 and a Field Master

  • 73 Wasps' nest in sewing machine

  • 74 Bideford Liberal club new lounge bar opened

  • 75

    Youth Clubs Join Together For Entertainment
  • 76 Donkey and horses enjoy carnival drink

  • 77 Record pebble-throwing day

  • 78 Thriving 'orphan of the storm'

  • 79 Alwington School closing after 120 years

  • 80 New Post Office

  • 81 Bideford Zoo's first baby is big draw

  • 82 In the tortoise nursery - eight hatched at Bideford

  • 83 Artisans' Club

  • 84 Sweet success at Langtree School

  • 85 Emergency ferry services

  • 86 Holiday traffic in Bideford High Street

  • 87 What's the time?

  • 88 Bideford has built over 500 post-war homes

  • 89 By pony and trap to market

  • 90 Christmas tree on Bideford Quay>
  • 91 Finished in 1876

  • 92 He beat the floods

  • 93

    Bidefordians
  • 94 Northam loses thatched cottage landmark

  • 95 On her 'maiden' trip from Bideford

  • 96 Torrington to have first woman mayor

  • 97 Floral dancing at Appledore

  • 98 Landmark at Bradworthy

  • 99 Ten year old scrambler

  • 100 New Lundy stamps

  • 101 One of the luckier farmers in getting in the problem harvest

  • 102 Fleet of foot and fair of face

  • 103 John Andrew Bread Charity
  • 104 End of the line

  • 105 Simple Item 138
  • 106 Penny for the guy

  • 107 Faints as she wins national competition

  • 108 Holiday scene near Sandymere

  • 109

    Close associations with North Devon
  • 110 'Out of Appledore' sailing memories

  • 111 Hartland postman retires

  • 112 Battle of the gap at Westward Ho!

  • 113 Last of Bideford factory chimney

  • 114 Water Board mains spread through villages

  • 115

    Cadets are given certificates
  • 116 Private home for public pump

  • 117 Circus comes to town

  • 118 Torrington's shelter for the aged

  • 119 America's tribute to 'J.H.'

  • 120 Capers on the cobbles

  • 121 Amsterdam to Bideford double success

  • 122 Clovelly's 91 year old horseman

  • 123 Thrush builds nest in cauliflower

  • 124 Tide sweeps under and over the old bridge

  • 125 School crossing patrol begins

  • 126 New gateway to King George's Fields

  • 127 TV features Bideford's New Year bread ceremony

  • 128 Television comes to Torridge District

  • 129 Born 1883 - still going strong

  • 130 New shipyard on schedule

  • 131 New civic medallions

  • 132 Donkey work made easier at Clovelly

  • 133 Open-air art exhibition by 'under 40' group

  • 134 North Devon author featured in TV documentary

  • 135 Bideford blacksmith wins English championship

  • 136 Head Barman appointed Torrington Town Crier
  • 137 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 138 Torrington Church's new organ

  • 139 Diamond Jubilee of St Peter's Church, East-the-Water

  • 140 Mayor becomes engine driver>
  • 141 Children's procession with foxgloves

  • 142 Pet squirrels at Monkleigh

  • 143 Childrens' model of Torrington

  • 144 Picking the pops

  • 145 Entente cordiale in Bideford

  • 146 Northam's almshouse

  • 147 Dismantling of wireless mast

  • 148 Ships at Bideford

  • 149 At Bideford Arts Ball>
  • 150 Bideford A.F.C annual dinner
  • 151

    Toasted with musical honours
  • 152 Picking the pops

  • 153 Puppet characters introduced

  • 154 Five generations link Woolsery, Clovelly and Bideford

  • 155 Broomhayes children will keep their winter pet

  • 156 Littleham cow tops 70 tons mark in milk production

  • 157

    Building works
  • 158 New addition to Quay front

  • 159 Centenary of Landcross Methodist Chapel

  • 160 Calf thinks of mare as mum

  • 161 Big develolpment at Calveford

  • 162

    Mums protest in Coronation Road
  • 163 Ship-in-bottle world record

  • 164 A roof-top view - where?

  • 165 Bideford-Torrington road gets 'carpet coat'

  • 166 Sooty is quick on the draw

  • 167 Death - and birth - of a telephone exchange

  • 168 The art of the thatcher

  • 169 No ancient Grecian temple this

  • 170 Watch the dicky bird!

  • 171 113 years at Instow

  • 172 A man and his wheel

  • 173 Decontrol of meat

  • 174

    Mrs Whapham finds ferret in Bridgeland Street while shopping
  • 175 The cab at the corner>
  • 176 Golden Bay Hotel ad.>
  • 177

    Birgitta Whittaker
  • 178 Some 240 exhibits

  • 179 Speeding communications: Bideford firm's new installation

  • 180 Rowing triumphs at Bideford

  • 181 Practical sympathy at Northam

  • 182 Bideford inquest on French trawlermen opens

  • 183 Clovelly nightmare

  • 184 Lady Godiva comes to Torrington

  • 185 Torrington in 1967

  • 186 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 187

    First prize
  • 188 To build racing cars in former blacksmith's shop

  • 189 Happy Days!

  • 190 Bideford shipyard workers cheer new minesweeper

  • 191 Eleventh hour bid to save last sailing barge

  • 192 Champagne send-off for Torrington new factory

  • 193

    Holidaying in north Devon
  • 194 Out of puff!

  • 195 Off on a great adventure

  • 196 Launching the 'Golden Hinde'

  • 197 Lots drawn to prevent dog fight

  • 198 Northam footballers of the future

  • 199 They are parted pro-tem

  • 200

    First Girls at Bideford Grammar School take part in Play
  • 201 One thousand visit zoo at Whitsun

  • 202 Bideford childrens' cinema opens

  • 203 Torrington's new amenity

  • 204 Jumble sale fever

  • 205 Symbol of Lundy independence

  • 206 Reed threshing 'putting the clock back' at Weare Giffard

  • 207 Four sisters' nostalgic reunion

  • 208 Variety in summer weather

  • 209 Designed all furnishing of new chapel

  • 210 Baby Kate goes home to Lundy

  • 211 Police station view of Bideford

  • 212

    School of Dancing's Annual Display
  • 213 A sense of humour in advertising

  • 214 Alverdiscott is proud of its new parish hall

  • 215 Move for oldest boatyard on Torridge

  • 216 Clovelly donkey film star

  • 217 First ship in 8 years

  • 218 North Devon Driving School

  • 219 Safe door weighing two tons

  • 220 Bideford regatta

  • 221 Sailing to victory at Appledore

  • 222 Boys win hockey on the sands challenge

  • 223 Shoes certainly not made for walking

  • 224 Bravery against bull at Shebbear rewarded

  • 225 Vessel built 300 feet above sea level

  • 226 New Estate's view of estuary activities

  • 227 Twenty-one yachts

  • 228 What is future of railway goods yard?

  • 229 Clovelly custom

  • 230 Smiling welcome to Hartland visitors

  • 231 Safety-first dipomas awarded to Torrington drivers

  • 232 Lundy memorial to John Pennington Harman V.C.

  • 233 Largest salmon caught in Torridge

  • 234 Light reading for the lighthouse

  • 235 Students help model St Sidwell

  • 236 Escaped crane moves into Kenwith Valley

  • 237 Warmington's garage ad

  • 238 Hartland Dancers
  • 239 Northam wants to continue pumping from river

  • 240 Preparations for new Clovelly Court

  • 241 Bideford stock car racing entry comes in second

  • 242

    Married in 1908
  • 243 Puzzle corner at Bideford!

  • 244

    Womens Skittles Competition in Buckland Brewer
  • 245 Fish nearly pulled him in

  • 246 Six footed lamb

  • 247 Bideford computer stars

  • 248 Parkham plan realised

  • 249 Wishing well is pixielated

  • 250 Appledore skill brings 'Hispaniola' to life

  • 251 Spray dodging - the new pastime

  • 252 Future of Torrington almshouses

  • 253

    Appledore boys beat mums at football
  • 254 New fire and ambulance stations

  • 255 Afternoon tea in the park

  • 256 Tibbles home again - and fish supper

  • 257

    Hamburger is part of modern life
  • 258 Loads of black and white

  • 259 Championship Trophy for Hartland
  • 260 Fishing light goes out at close of poor season

  • 261 Repair work on Long Bridge
  • 262 Centuries old but today busier than ever

  • 263 Gift plaque on Clovelly council houses

  • 264 Wilfred and Mabel visit schools and hospital

  • 265 Tomorrow' night's skittles broadcast from Bideford

  • 266 Buckland goes to County Show

  • 267 Fishermen of Greencliff

  • 268 'Les Girls' of Hartland

  • 269 Appledore boy is youngest recipient of RNLI vellun

  • 270 Picture bought for shillings may be worth thousands

  • 271 First tankers arrive at new depot

  • 272

    FA Cup Match for the Robins
  • 273 Bideford country dancers on TV

  • 274 Old Girls revisit Edgehill

  • 275 Sunshine and shade at Appledore

  • 276 A bird of their own!

  • 277 Sweets derationing

  • 278

    Exhibition of school work
  • 279 School's link with cargo ship

  • 280 A Weare Giffard speciality - delicious strawberries

  • 281 It really was the 'last time'

  • 282 Ancestral home nestling in lovely combe

  • 283 No laughing matter

  • 284 Royal prince visits Torridge-side

  • 285 First steel ship built at Bideford

  • 286 Local glove-making factory advertising for staff

  • 287 Meredith's ironmongers

  • 288 Steep street of old Bideford

  • 289 New look in the hayfields

  • 290 Farewell to passenger trains

  • 291 Recognise this resort?

  • 292 Church renovation rejoicing at Northam

  • 293 Record player of 80 years ago

  • 294 Bideford loses training ship

  • 295 Mobile missionary

  • 296 Charter granted by Philip and Mary

  • 297

    Relatives all over the world
  • 298 Beach search for mines takes longer

  • 299 Getting up steam for tomorrow

  • 300 Do recall the old windmill at Northam?

  • 301 Appledore Juniors Football
  • 302 Shipbuilding hobby at Hartland

  • 303 Appledore schooner broadcast

  • 304 Bank Holiday weather was beach weather

  • 305 Found the answer waiting for him>
  • 306 Bideford - as Rowlandson saw it about 1810-15

  • 307 Bideford Liberals' fashion show

  • 308 Bringing shopping home by goat

  • 309 Torrington Youth Club rewarded by party
  • 310 Wine and beer merchants for 150 years

  • 311 Chess - their bridge over the years

  • 312 New Lundy air-mail stamps

  • 313 The Geneva marionettes

  • 314 Four hundred residents leave Bideford!

  • 315 Up-to-date Bideford!

  • 316 Revived market off to splendid start

  • 317 Some mushroom!

  • 318 Yelland potter's exhibition at Bideford

  • 319 Pannier Market's future?

  • 320 A story to tell!

  • 321 Quads at Thornhillhead

  • 322 Torridge graveyard of wooden hulks

  • 323 For crying out loud!

  • 324 New art gallery opened

  • 325 Second Monte Carlo Rally

  • 326 Torrington school's sundial - fashioned by Headmaster

  • 327 In their new robes and hats

  • 328 Panto time at Westward Ho!

  • 329 Lady Churchill congratulates Bideford artists at nursing exhibition

  • 330 Hartland's invitation

  • 331 New life for Hartland organ

  • 332 Bicycle now does donkey work

  • 333 New choral society's growing response

  • 334 Buckland farm workers to receive long-service awards

  • 335 Cement-clad boats being built at Northam

  • 336 Bideford Bridge re-opens

  • 337 Polish custom on Pancake Day

  • 338 Making way for the double-deckers

  • 339 Riverside mystery

  • 340

    Was a missionary
  • 341 Bideford's first triplets for 12 years

  • 342

    Lenwood Squash Club
  • 343 Can spring be far away?

  • 344 Westward Ho! combined op

  • 345 Cruising down the river

  • 346 Calligrapher extraordinary

  • 347 So this is the mainland!

  • 348 Bideford's gift to Sir Francis

  • 349 X-ray shoe fitting

  • 350 Allhalland Street - then and now

  • 351 Thunderstorm destruction of 25 years ago

  • 352 Designed and made in Bideford

  • 353 All aboard the ark

  • 354 East-the-Water's call for new school

  • 355 Daisy's pride and joy

  • 356 Two kinds of hovercraft at Bideford

  • 357 Colour TV salesman at eight

  • 358 East-the-Water sets town an example

  • 359 Alderman Anstey's dream comes tru

  • 360 What the television camera saw at Abbotsham

  • 361 Birds' convalescent home at Instow

  • 362 Yeoi Vale House finally demolished

  • 363 Torrington acclaims 400th anniversary of granting of charter

  • 364 Littleham family's five generations

  • 365 Tramps camp by riverside throughout arctic weather

  • 366 Last train from Torrington

  • 367 Jalopy joy for children of Shamwickshire

  • 368 Appledore's new lifeboat

  • 369 Service with a smile

  • 370 Eight and a half million pound Taw development scheme

  • 371 Harvest service in Bideford 'pub' bar

  • 372 Bideford firm develops new non-spill paint

  • 373 Passing of a Torrington landmark

  • 374 Bideford electricity window display qualifies for area competition

  • 375 Weare Giffard Hall sold for £11,300

  • 376 Devil sent packing

  • 377 When horses score over the tractor

  • 378 Traditions and skills still there

  • 379 Larkworthy Family play in Shebbear's Football Team
  • 380 Signed scroll momento of Queen Mother's visit

  • 381

    Successful motor cycling team
  • 382 Bideford's new market opens next week

  • 383 Appledore's largest

  • 384 Appledore tugs fete London Tower

  • 385 Sight of a lifetime

  • 386 Photo mural in Bideford bank

  • 387

    Double Baptism on Torridge
  • 388

    Reds Womens Team Are First To Compete Throughout Season
  • 389

    New gateway
  • 390 Torrington's enterprise's new extensions

  • 391 Huntshaw TV mast

  • 392 Weare Giffard potato

  • 393 Saving money, wear and tear

  • 394 Photo of town's first car wins prize

  • 395 Joe the ginger tabby is 21

  • 396 Mural in the whimsical fashion

  • 397 Modern living at Bideford

  • 398 Can-carrying over cobbles has disappeared

  • 399 Instow local art show was 'tremendous success'

  • 400 Inscribed Bibles and silver spoons for babies

  • 401 Liked holidays here - so starts business

  • 402

    10-year-old scrambler practices
  • 403 Salmon netting at Bideford

  • 404 Barley from Bideford to Bonnie Scotland

  • 405

    Gift from Bideford Town Council
  • 406 Life begins at 80

  • 407 Doing time - over 300 years of it - at Hartland

  • 408 Bideford School Junior Choir Sing in France at Twinning Ceremony in Landivisiau
  • 409 They never miss a game at Torrington

  • 410 Cavaliers join the Hunt
  • 411 Where Bideford rope-makers walked>
  • 412 Thirty bridges cross Torridge

  • 413 Bideford's private wharves busier

3.5.1957 Robins win Hansen Cup

Robins Win The Hansen Cup

May 3rd, 1957

Bideford AFC pictured with the Hansen Cup after they had defeated Bude 2-1 in the final

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and suddenly it's spring

Cadds Down Farm

1 March 1974

Joined by Trixie, the pony

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  • Torrington May Fair Queen and Her Attendants

    Names from left to right:Joan Ricketts; Joan Newcombe; Jean Wernhem; Margaret Sweet; Enid Ovenden; Rona Elsworthy; Doris Short; (back row);
    Eileen Short; Miss Margery Bennett (Queen); Joyce Downman; David Fiddian (Page); Peggie Sussex;

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  • Seafield House - the "Spooky House" of Westward Ho!

    The house on the cliff edge known locally as ‘Spooky House’ or even ‘Haunted House’ , was built about 1885.

    The road was especially built to enable access to the house and was initially known as Seafield Road; later it became Merley Road.

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  • Christmas Eve at the Front

    An interesting letter has just been received by Mrs Packer, of Broadclyst, from her husband, Corpl Packer of A Company, 1st Battalion Devonshire Regiment, who is serving with the Expeditionary Force in Northern France. In the course of a letter he describes a remarkable incident which occurred on Christmas Eve between the British and German trenches.

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1911 Coronation Medal

Coronation Medal Presented on June 22nd 1911   Learn More

The Hoops Inn

The Hoops Inn close to Peppercombe Beach

The Quay at Appledore

Appledore Quay where Taw and Torridge Rivers meet 

 
Wynne Olley

Crowning Glory

12 October 1962

Their finest achievement to date...

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Shipyard goes into liquidation 1963

Liquidator appointed

4 January 1963

Difficulty in retaining labour...

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Westward Ho! Wedding

Sergt/Observer Alfred Leonard Bragg, RAF, elder son of Mr and Mrs A Bragg of Sherborne, and Miss Barbara May Arlett, elder daughter of Mr and Mrs W H Arlett, Pilgrim's Way, Westward Ho! are photographed after their wedding on March 25th at Holy Trinity Church, Westward Ho!

11.4.1944 Bragg

Wed At Appledore

LAC R A Whitlock, RAF, and Miss P M Slade

8.8.1944 Whitlock Slade

The wedding took place at Ebenezer Baptist Church, Appledore, on July 27th 1944, of Leading Aircraftman R A Whitlock, RAF, only son of Mr and Mrs C Whitlock, 25 Lime Grove, Bideford, and Miss Pamela Mary Slade, only daughter of Mrs D Slade, 18 Meeting Street, Appledore, and the late Capt J V Slade.
Rev Bertram L Hardy officiated and Mrs E Evans presided at the organ.
The bride was given away by her cousin, Capt Wm Slade. There were three bridesmaids and page boy: Misses Dorothy Blackmore, Barbara Whitlock, Joan Porter and Master Norman Piper. The duties of the best man were carried out by Mr Ronald S Ley.
A reception was held in the Baptist Sunday School room.
The bride and bridegroom were the recipients of numerous presents including: from the Baptist Sunday School, Bideford Food Office; and Pickfords Ltd. About twenty congratulatory telegrams were received.
Weston-Super-Mare was chosen for the honeymoon.
The flowers for the decoration of the Church and the reception was a gift of Mrs M G Hedden, of South Bank, Bideford, where the bridegroom’s father is employed.
The full Gazette article is dated 8 August 1944

Bideford Families United

A.B/St J Osborne and Miss P Trott

8.8.1944 Osborne Trott

At St Mary’s Church, Bideford, on Saturday July 22nd, the wedding took place of A.B/S.T John Osborne, twin son of Mr and Mrs W Osborne, 28 Torrington Lane, Bideford E. and Miss Phyllis Trott, daughter of Mrs M Trott, 13 Bridgeland Street, Bideford, and the late Mr F Trott.
Rev T R Gibby officiated at the ceremony and Mr R Harper was the organ.
Given away by her uncle, Mr G Blackmore, the bride wore a dress of white cloque, with veil and headdress of orange blossom.
The bride’s sister, Miss Alice Trott was bridesmaid. Mr Lewis Gorrell carried out the duties of best man. On leaving the church, the bride was presented with a silver horseshoe good luck token by her cousin, Miss Brenda Seviour.
A.B and Mrs Osborne later left for Parracombe for their honeymoon.
Full Gazette article is dated 8 August 1944

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